Barbican Centre Model (1968)Barbican Centre
Designing the Barbican
The Barbican was designed in the 1950s by architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon.
Barbican Centre Model Detail by Tom HanleyBarbican Centre
The design went through various stages, from the original proposal to revisions which took place as the project developed.
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Barbican Redevelopment 1959 (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
Early Designs: 1959
This report, Barbican Redevelopment 1959, was designed by Herbert Spencer (1924-2002), the graphic designer hired as the Barbican Estate’s ‘Lettering and Signposting Consultant’.
The arts centre was not the main focus of the original design - it was added at a later date. This is where the Centre is today - you can see there is a bridge in place of where the building is now.
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Proposals page 40 Section 2: Illustration: Looking Across the Lake. (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
Here is a view showing what the Barbican could have looked like with this design.
Barbican Centre for Arts & Conferences Signs Manual (1980) by Ken Briggs & AssociatesBarbican Centre
Spencer's visual identity for the Estate set a precedent. His ex-student Ken Briggs developed it for the Centre once it opened.
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Barbican Redevelopment 1959 (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 laid out Chamberlin, Powell and Bon's latest thoughts about the design and development of the Barbican. As well as technical information and costings, it included:
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Technical Section page 12 Section 3: A Description of the Kitchen (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
ideas for how the kitchens in the flats should look
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Introduction page 2 (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
a proposal for the Barbican podium, laying out the benefits of having a highwalk as part of the design
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Introduction page 3 (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
an overview of how the flats could have look, with staggered balconies
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Introduction page 8: 1956 Scheme (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
this drawing by Gordon Cullen of the Conservatory - imagined at the time as a glass pyramid in the Lake
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Introduction page 10: 1956 Scheme (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
details about how the build would need to interact with the Tube lines below
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Proposals page 36 Section 2: Theatre, Concert Hall. (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
and an early design for the Hall, which was imagined with seating in the round.
Barbican Redevelopment 1959 Proposals page 4: Section 2: Photographs (1959) by Chamberlin, Powel & BonBarbican Centre
Barbican Redevelopment 1959
